Click here for Health Fund Eligibility Requirements - Shiatsu - Oct 2016
Definition of Treatment
Shiatsu incorporates the use of a range of techniques to apply pressure over various parts of the body to affect a therapeutic result. The pressure used can be firm or light, using not only thumbs but feet, elbows, knees and palms. This is combined with stretches, joint rotations and joint manipulation to give an all-over treatment, which aims at treating the patient on a holistic level.
Shiatsu works by stimulating the circulation of Blood/Xue and the life force/energy which supports and facilitates the livelihood and balance – homeostasis – of the body and mind. This is done by reducing or eliminating the restrictions (stagnation) which impede circulation and give rise to muscular tension, stress and blood stagnation and reinforcing those areas and activities of the body left deficient, or undernourished, by blood and energy.
If the circulation of Qi within the body is impaired, or stagnated, because of stress, illness, injury or poor habits, the flow of Qi can be reactivated by working on the meridians, points and areas that are deficient or restricted. A disorder of one part of the body will have effects throughout the organism and for this reason it is important to treat the whole body. This explains why the Shiatsu Practitioner may spend time working on areas of the body that do not seem related to the problem.
Treatment is carried out fully clothed, usually with the patient lying or sitting on a futon mat on the ground. A typical session will last about an hour.
The assessment must include the development of a specific treatment plan as to the best course of treatment for the patient’s condition/injury. This treatment plan forms the basis of the clinical notes. These notes must be consistent with the ATMS Code of Conduct, the Unregistered Health Practitioner Act and the additional requirements set by the health funds.
